Meeting documents

Prior to the commencement of the formal business of the meeting all those present stood in silent tribute to Mr B Stopps, a Member of the Council for the Buckingham North Ward from 1976 to 1983, who had sadly passed away recently.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 October, 2017, copy attached as an appendix.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 18 October, 2017, be approved as a correct record.

By the Chairman of the Council.

By the Leader/Cabinet Members.

There were none.

There were none.

Presentations will be given by the Chief Constable of the Thames Valley Police, and by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, after which there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Members welcomed Francis Habgood QPM, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, who was accompanied by Tim Metcalfe, Aylesbury Vale LPA Commander.  Mr Anthony Stansfeld, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, was unable to attend and had given his apologies in advance of the meeting.

The Chief Constable introduced a short video on policing in the Thames Valley, after which he gave a presentation during which the following main points were noted:-

·                     The Thames Valley Police (TVP) had recently been inspected by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and been graded as outstanding in terms of its ability to make the most of its available resources.

·                     That the TVP’s resources were continuing to be stretched, e.g. the number of terrorist attacks that were being averted was continuing to increase year-on-year, there had been 4 murders in the TV area in June, and there had been a 12% increase across the country in calls to the ‘999’ and ‘101’ numbers.

·                     TVP was committed to working together with communities and other agencies to make communities safer, and would continue to transform and innovate to meet policing needs now and in the future.  The police were working with the public and communities to build resilience.

·                     TVP was an emergency service that kept people safe and brought offenders to justice.  There had been a reduction in rural burglaries, although some of these offenders were likely to have moved and be operating in towns.  One particular operation (Torby) had focussed on crime and issues occurring on the border area between the TVP and the Bedfordshire Police.

·                     Police were focussing on preventing crime, stopping exploitation and reducing demand.  They were also developing proactive responses to identified threats.

·                     Information was provided on how the police were responding to "County lines" issues, which was a situation whereby gangs used children as young as 12 to traffic drugs in rural towns and cities, using dedicated mobile phones or "lines".

·                     The Chief Constable emphasised his commitment to neighbourhood policing, advising that each community would have a named contact for their area. In addition, the Police would work with partners in multi-agency problem solving.

·                     Police were working to build stronger, more resilient communities.  This was being done through various multi-agency groups, Safe hubs set up in towns and the use of Special Constables as a part of rural crime teams.

·                     The Police would continue to use powers such as Community Protection Notices (CPN) to prevent unreasonable behaviour and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBO) to require offenders to participate in particular specified acts, e.g. attendance at a course to reduce behaviour or to treat drug addiction, and would also continue to use Restorative Justice.

·                     Police would continue to invest in technology including a new website, Thames Valley Alert app, Cyber Crime Investigation and ‘Protect Your World’ which were simple tips for people on how to avoid being targeted by cyber crime.

·                     TVP had a skilled and trusted workforce and was looking to see how best use could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

One written question was submitted by Members during October-November 2017.

Members’ Written Questions and Answers can be accessed at http://democracy.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=441

One written question had been submitted by Members during October-November 2017.  Written questions and the answers could be accessed at http://democracy.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?Committeeld=441.

Councillor Mrs J Blake

Cabinet Member for Commercialisation and Business Transformation

To consider the new Notice of Motion attached as an appendix.

The following had been submitted by Councillor Christensen and seconded by Councillor Mrs Harrison.  (This was proposed amended slightly from that circulated with the Council Agenda and the changes are shown in emboldened type):-

"This Council recognises that with the withdrawal of Government grant we need to explore commercial opportunities which could offer revenue streams and create a sustainable financial future.

This Council notes that it has entered into the commercial environment with Aylesbury Vale Broadband, IncGen, Vale Commerce and LimeCart to date, with varying degrees of success.

However in each of these cases, corporate oversight and scrutiny of these ventures has been limited which many Members are deeply concerned about.  In addition there have been conflicts of interest for Directors/ Cabinet Members and their places on the boards.  They have had to meet their Directorship responsibility to the commercial venture and that of the Council. Similarly the Cabinet Members have been unable to answer questions to Members of this Council, citing commercial sensitivities.

Therefore this Council resolves to address the growing gap in executive oversight and scrutiny with open and transparent use of taxpayer’s money by;

1.            Recognising the inherent conflict of interests that exist when establishing companies with Council money and commits itself to full disclosure of all commercial matters to Members.

2.            Undertaking a detailed external audit of Aylesbury Vale Broadband Limited.

The audit shall;

a.            Commence no later than 1 Calendar month from the sale of AVB or by the 31st of January 2018 whichever is the sooner.

b.            The Audit should report no more than 3 months after commencement

c.            The report will be published in full and in public.

d.            Be conducted by a qualified individual appointed by the Chief Executive but with the express agreement of all Group Leaders.

e.            Include, but not be limited to, a review of the management of the business including the performance of the management team, delivery of services to target villages, performance against business plans, and the use of capital.

f.             The Audit Committee should make recommendations to Council in relation to the effectiveness of the scrutiny process taking account of the lessons learnt from the AVB inquiry.

g.            Review the oversight provided by Cabinet Members and officers while acting as Board Members of Aylesbury Vale Broadband Ltd.

In accordance with Council Procedure rules, the Chairman had agreed that the Motion should be dealt with at this meeting.  Councillor Christensen explained briefly the rationale behind the Motion after which it was opened up to debate.

It was thereupon proposed by the Leader of the Council (Councillor N Blake) and seconded by Councillor Irwin:-

"That the Motion be amended as follows:-

"(1)      That this Council will honour the commitment given by the Leader of the Council at the General Purposes Committee to review the position culminating in the decision to sell AVB and introduce a suitable mechanism for keeping all Members of the Council informed of the Council’s commercial activities.

(2)        That the Audit Committee be tasked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor Mrs Macpherson / Councillor Mordue

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities / Cabinet Member for Resources, Governance and Compliance

To consider the new Notice of Motion attached as an appendix.

The following had been submitted by Councillor Lambert and seconded by Councillor Christensen:-

"This Council recognises the important work undertaken by The Fawcett Society in preparing the report ‘Does Local Government work for women?’, published in July 2017, as part of the Women in Local Government Commission, and acknowledges its findings over the barriers still faced by women in Local Government.

https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/does-local-government-work-for-women-final-report-of-the-local-government-commission 

This Council acknowledges that research from across the private sector routinely demonstrates that more diverse teams, including teams with a more even share of women perform more effectively than teams which are homogenous; and that more inclusive Councils containing a more representative set of voices are better equipped to represent the population as a whole.

This Council is supportive of the report’s recommendations that local authorities should seek to:

·                     support parent and carers in councils by introducing a formal maternity, paternity and adoption policy for councillors, and ensuring care costs are covered;

·                     tackle sexism by setting out acceptable behaviour standards for councillors and driving cultural change;

·                     make our Council more diverse by breaking down barriers faced by under-represented groups;

·                     Support women’s progression within the Council by proactively seeking out women councillors for leadership roles.

This Council therefore resolves to:

·                     Ask officers to prepare a report for the relevant Cabinet Member on the adequacy of support available to Women Members when affected by barriers outlined in the Fawcett Society report.

·                     Ask the Monitoring Officer to review the current code of conduct to ensure incidences of harassment and discrimination are dealt with, with appropriate force, and for a report to be provided to the General Purposes Committee on any proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution to put forward to full Council.

·                     Ask the officers to draft a proposed policy on a formal maternity, paternity and adoption policy for Councillors for consideration by the General Purposes Committee, as well as for consideration by the Independent Remuneration Panel in regard to changes to any possible change in allowances.

·                    Ask the Returning Officer to consider what actions can be taken to encourage women to stand for election, and to report back to Full Council."

In accordance with Council Procedure rules, the Chairman had agreed that the Motion should be dealt with at this meeting.  Councillor Lambert explained briefly the rationale behind the Motion after which it was opened up to debate.

After having confirmed that she was in agreement of the general principles behind the Motion, it was thereupon proposed by the Deputy Leader of the Council (Councillor Mrs Macpherson) and seconded by Councillor Mrs Glover, that the Motion be amended as follows:-

"That this Council:-

(1)          Confirms its commitment to encouraging candidates for Council office from all sections of the community, including the protected characteristics specified in the Equality Act, 2010.

(2)          Asks the Returning Officer to continue to work towards the promotion of candidacy at elections having regard to best practice and advice from the Electoral Commission.

(3)          Confirms that any incident of inappropriate sexual behaviour is not acceptable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions of individual Cabinet Members and Committee Chairmen.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions of individual Cabinet Members and Committee Chairmen about issues affecting their portfolios/Committee activities:-

(a)          Section 106 Agreements (Councillor Stuchbury) – the Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy informed Members that if any Parish/Town Councils had comments that they wished AVDC to take into account in deciding planning applications that it was important that these views were submitted during the public consultation period.

(b)          Adoption of Roads / new Open Space (Councillor Stuchbury) – the Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy informed Members that the County Council would not adopt new roads until they were fit for purpose.  The District Council was not able to take on the maintenance of all open spaces and would be responsive to Town / Parish Councils who might wish to take on these responsibilities.

(c)          Aqua Vale (Councillor Christensen) – in response to a question regarding cleanliness and maintenance issues, the Cabinet Member for Civic Amenities informed Members that she had visited Aqua Vale on 3 occasions recently and found that significant improvements had been made over the last 12 months to service areas including cleaning, maintenance and staffing levels.

Representatives from Everyone Active, who managed the Council’s leisure centres, had attended and had positive discussions with the Finance and Services Scrutiny Committee on 28 November 2017

(d)          Modernising Local Government in Buckinghamshire (Councillor Lambert) – the Leader of the Council informed Members that Councils were still waiting for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government’s decision regarding the two unitary proposals for Buckinghamshire.

(e)          Lifts at Waitrose car park, Exchange Street (Councillor Lambert) – the Cabinet Member for Civic Amenities gave an undertaking to visit the lifts with the Member, regarding concerns on the lifts’ cleanliness.

(f)           Business Rates Retention (Councillor Lambert) – the Leader of the Council gave an undertaking to provide Members with information on the circumstances that had led to Buckinghamshire not submitting a proposal to be a pilot area for 2018/19 for the business rates retention trial.

(g)          Recruitment (Councillor Harrison) – the Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy informed Members that in line with the Council’s vision to be more commercially focussed, the recruitment of staff placed a greater emphasis on behaviours than on skills.

(h)          Parish Liaison Officers (Councillor Newcombe) – the Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy gave an undertaking to provide Members with information on the role and job descriptions for PLOs, to assist Councillors in disseminating this information wider in local communities.

(i)            Aylesbury Garden Town Board (Councillor Monger) – the Leader of the Council gave an undertaking to provide all Members with information on the makeup of the Aylesbury Garden Town Board.